How to get chicken laws changed in Shelby Township, MI

Hi all. I'm brand new here, and I am reading as fast and as much as I can. If there is a sticky or something with step-by-step info on how to get the ordinances changed in an area, could somebody please direct me there? BTW, I have found other websites sort of outlining a plan of sorts, but thought here would be better. My Township basically says "no poultry" of any kind. I want to try to get this changed rather than being an "outlaw", getting chickens anyway, and then being afraid every day of losing my birds.

I'd appreciate any leads!

Thanks,

Sandy

No sticky yet, but here's a thread with lots of good links in the first post. If you've been researching, you probably have seen some of these- but perhaps there's also some new info to be found. A step-by-step may be difficult to find, since each area's government and laws are going to be different. Good luck!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...hange-your-local-chicken-l-o-r-e#post_8799969

I think someone else actually already fought your fight for you.
http://walnuthillfarmmi.com/

I am in Washington Township and I am trying to get some birds too.

Lots of good info here as well:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/182280/michigan-right-to-farm-law-what-does-it-mean/580

The second post on page 59 of the thread summarizes a lot of info that has been discussed there over the last several months, all in the form of a letter to a local official about a state law (Michigan Right to Farm) that already protects our right to keep chickens. It's a bit more complicated, but you'll find lots of info on that thread - and lots of other folks in Michigan trying to figure this out.

Good luck!

daveinmichigan said:

I think someone else actually already fought your fight for you.
http://walnuthillfarmmi.com/

I am in Washington Township and I am trying to get some birds too.

Click to expand...

No, unfortunately that farm is owned by VikkiP here on the forum. Although her battle, and eventual win, is well know to lots of people here, it did not help anybody else in Shelby Township. The Twp. did not change their ordinance just because Vikki won her case. The rest of us would have to go through the same hassles and battles if somebody turns them in because of their chickens. It is still technically "illegal". It is a crying shame that her case did not succeed in getting the ordinance changed, benefitting the rest of the community who wants to keep chickens. She went through an awful lot over several years to keep her flock. But it changed nothing for the rest of us.

wingless said:

Lots of good info here as well:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/182280/michigan-right-to-farm-law-what-does-it-mean/580

The second post on page 59 of the thread summarizes a lot of info that has been discussed there over the last several months, all in the form of a letter to a local official about a state law (Michigan Right to Farm) that already protects our right to keep chickens. It's a bit more complicated, but you'll find lots of info on that thread - and lots of other folks in Michigan trying to figure this out.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

Yes, I have been keeping up on this for several weeks. However, if a person wants to be proactive, rather than having to be on the defensive once you've been "caught", the only way to go about that is to get the ordinance changed BEFORE you get chickens. I don't want the possible conflict, so I am trying to gather people to go to the Twp. with me to try and get the ordinance changed first. I have set up a Yahoo group called ShelbyTownship_BackyardChickens for those interested to band together and approach the Twp., but so far there have not been many to come forward. I think everybody is afraid, because those who already have chickens don't want anybody stirring the pot and possibly causing trouble for them. Just my opinion.

So I spoke with some people on the board at Shelby and they didn't have a problem with the notion of people having chickens as long as it was "tastefully done" whatever that means lol.

They also said that nobody has officially brought a request to change the ordinance in years.

On a funny note, the City Manager actually came up to my husband who was weeding our property and about 7 feet from the coop and run (which runs the entire length of our garage and is as tall) did not say a word and they were clearly there. I was inside biting my nails!! LOL He just wanted a signature to get on the ballot to run for re-election.

So my question is has anyone actually approached the Township lately and asked for a chance to have the ordinance changed?

PS I am a aware that just because some board members didn't have a problem with it doesn't mean it wouldn't be a problem.

My dilemma is that I already have chickens based on my phone call last year to someone that told me I could have them as long as nobody complained. So I'm in a pickle, however, would love nothing more than to NOT look over my shoulder all the time.

joesandy1822 said:

No, unfortunately that farm is owned by VikkiP here on the forum. Although her battle, and eventual win, is well know to lots of people here, it did not help anybody else in Shelby Township. The Twp. did not change their ordinance just because Vikki won her case. The rest of us would have to go through the same hassles and battles if somebody turns them in because of their chickens. It is still technically "illegal". It is a crying shame that her case did not succeed in getting the ordinance changed, benefitting the rest of the community who wants to keep chickens. She went through an awful lot over several years to keep her flock. But it changed nothing for the rest of us.

Click to expand...

I don't think VikkiP's MRTF win was ever supposed to change the ordinance in Shelby Township.

MRTFA is a state law that protects individuals who meet three requirements (in this case, have chickens, sell chicken products, practice good management) from nuisance suits. MRTFA protects (or should protect) every person in Michigan who meets those specific requirements, including you.

But MRTF is a state law, not a local one, and was never intended to alter any local laws or ordinances - but rather only to protect you from those ordinances when your farming operation (backyard chickens) is commercial (sell eggs) and is well run (GAAMPS).

And, since state law trumps in these cases, if you are "legal" according to MRTF then you are "legal" - no matter what the local ordinance says.

So the bad news might be that VikkiP's case didn't change the local ordinance in Shelby Township (I guess), but the good news is that MRTFA did protect her, and should protect you and me and every other person in Michigan who wants to keep a few chickens, sell a few eggs, and do it in a reasonable, well run manner - no matter what local ordinances or zoning laws say.

Someone on another thread has been signing off VIVA LA CHICKEN - but I would say VIVA LA MRTFA - or even VIVA LA MICHIGAN - because this law sure makes me proud to live here.

wingless said:

I don't think VikkiP's MRTF win was ever supposed to change the ordinance in Shelby Township.

MRTFA is a state law that protects individuals who meet three requirements (in this case, have chickens, sell chicken products, practice good management) from nuisance suits. MRTFA protects (or should protect) every person in Michigan who meets those specific requirements, including you.

But MRTF is a state law, not a local one, and was never intended to alter any local laws or ordinances - but rather only to protect you from those ordinances when your farming operation (backyard chickens) is commercial (sell eggs) and is well run (GAAMPS).

And, since state law trumps in these cases, if you are "legal" according to MRTF then you are "legal" - no matter what the local ordinance says.

So the bad news might be that VikkiP's case didn't change the local ordinance in Shelby Township (I guess), but the good news is that MRTFA did protect her, and should protect you and me and every other person in Michigan who wants to keep a few chickens, sell a few eggs, and do it in a reasonable, well run manner - no matter what local ordinances or zoning laws say.

Someone on another thread has been signing off VIVA LA CHICKEN - but I would say VIVA LA MRTFA - or even VIVA LA MICHIGAN - because this law sure makes me proud to live here.

Click to expand...

This is all true; however, VikkiP went through literal hell to keep her flock. I don't think I am alone in saying that I would rather not be drug into court and spend years of my life and thousands of dollars defending what is supposedly already mine and "legal". I'm not at a place in life right now that it would be feasible or practical. This is why I'd rather see the ordinance changed to come into line with the law before I bother even getting chickens in the first place.

Come to think of it, why are there local ordinances in the first place that conflict with state law? Crazy.